Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag 8L Picante Red

It’s a little smaller than I was expecting based off the photos on the website but it is as advertised. Still works for what I need. Bag is well made and of good material. I do appreciate the white inner lining. That helps with seeing into the bag and less like looking into a black hole. I am able to put a queen size comforter, queen size pillow a bath towel and a beach towel inside and I probably could cram a pair of pants and long sleeve t-shirt if determined. My purpose for it is for boating/fishing, hunting and traveling. Shipping was quick. I would recommend this product.

It's No Baja Bag

ReviewSo here was my situation: I was gearing up for a six week canoe trip in the Canadian Arctic and needed dry bags, one larger for gear in a pack and one smaller for use as a day-bag clipped to the thwart (I’m copying this review for both the 35 and 65 liter sizes of this model that I purchased.) I’m well aware that the Seal Line Baja Bag, the gold standard of dry bags for paddling expeditions, is what I should be buying. The heavy vinyl material, the reinforced folding area, the reputation among professionals… Yeah, the Baja Bag is what I wanted. However I’ve turned into a die-hard REI customer who apparently must rack up rewards on my REI Mastercard and yet REI IS NOT STOCKING THE BAJA BAG, WHY??? So I tell myself: surely this “Big River” bag must be a ... MoreReviewSo here was my situation: I was gearing up for a six week canoe trip in the Canadian Arctic and needed dry bags, one larger for gear in a pack and one smaller for use as a day-bag clipped to the thwart (I’m copying this review for both the 35 and 65 liter sizes of this model that I purchased.) I’m well aware that the Seal Line Baja Bag, the gold standard of dry bags for paddling expeditions, is what I should be buying. The heavy vinyl material, the reinforced folding area, the reputation among professionals… Yeah, the Baja Bag is what I wanted. However I’ve turned into a die-hard REI customer who apparently must rack up rewards on my REI Mastercard and yet REI IS NOT STOCKING THE BAJA BAG, WHY??? So I tell myself: surely this “Big River” bag must be a reliable choice for an expedition on a big river, right? Wrong.The gall to call this bag the “Big River”.While it may be possible to delicately finesse the seal to be actually waterproof, I was unable to do so and it leaked for me in rain regularly and when submurged in a dicey situation where I depended on it. This laminated material feels cheap and flimsy and the white inner part was flaking off on folding areas by the end of the trip. With this basic failure to perform I found the little attachment loops and cool-looking aesthetic choices insulting.Underbuilt for paddling, overbuilt for backpacking. Probably would look cool on Instagram in the back of a Tacoma with the same desert sand color going car camping or something.

Like a regular dry bag, but better!

This is a really nice bag: think of a regular lightweight dry bag amped up! First of all, this bag will keep your gear dry, just like all of Sea to Summits other lightweight dry bags.Whereas the heavyweight bags are polyurethane, the bulk of my bags require water resistance, not heavy-duty immersion. This bridges the gap between a "lightweight" bag and that heavy-duty bag. Why is this important? I've found abandoned lightweight bags in the field with holes and rips; this bag is made from a heavier-weight ripstop nylon similar to what you might find on a high-end daypack for hiking. Except that its waterproof, something that my day pack lacks!But more than that, I really appreciate the molle-style lash points to secure this bag to my pack, to my kayak, to whatever ... MoreThis is a really nice bag: think of a regular lightweight dry bag amped up! First of all, this bag will keep your gear dry, just like all of Sea to Summits other lightweight dry bags.Whereas the heavyweight bags are polyurethane, the bulk of my bags require water resistance, not heavy-duty immersion. This bridges the gap between a "lightweight" bag and that heavy-duty bag. Why is this important? I've found abandoned lightweight bags in the field with holes and rips; this bag is made from a heavier-weight ripstop nylon similar to what you might find on a high-end daypack for hiking. Except that its waterproof, something that my day pack lacks!But more than that, I really appreciate the molle-style lash points to secure this bag to my pack, to my kayak, to whatever mounting point I might require.My only wish is that this came in more colors, but maybe my wish will come true in the years to come.You can't go wrong with this well-made bag!

My favorite Dry Bag

I really like these dry bags. I use them for canoe tripping and the oval shape fits perfectly in a portage pack and leaves less wasted space in the pack. Also, the lash loops make it easier to remove from the pack and while I haven't used it, the attachment points for a shoulder strap could be really useful for day trips. The construction is top-notch. I've used dozens of other dry bags and these seem to be tougher than all others I've used. The material is strong and puncture-resistant while not being thick and heavy. I have been paddling and using dry bags for over 30 years and also worked in the outdoor retail industry. As far as I know, these are the best dry bags on the market.

Not durable or rugged - holes from slight abrasion (65L Big River)

Really disappointed in the performance of this "dry bag". I just returned from a 6 day canoe trip (BWCA), and this was the only bag that really didn't hold up! With multiple portages throughout our trip, we carried the bags over various terrain but with minimal abrasion from rocks or the ground. The dry bags made of "500-denier waterproof, polyester PVC" performed great - no issues with any of them. My inexpensive dry bags made of "190D diamond ripstop polyester" did pretty well. I was very surprised to see by the end of the trip, this bag's 420D nylon fabric TPU did not hold up well - the sides did fine, but the black bottom was easily damaged by incidental abrasions with rocks or the ground and developed a small tear and lots of small holes. Really unacceptable ... MoreReally disappointed in the performance of this "dry bag". I just returned from a 6 day canoe trip (BWCA), and this was the only bag that really didn't hold up! With multiple portages throughout our trip, we carried the bags over various terrain but with minimal abrasion from rocks or the ground. The dry bags made of "500-denier waterproof, polyester PVC" performed great - no issues with any of them. My inexpensive dry bags made of "190D diamond ripstop polyester" did pretty well. I was very surprised to see by the end of the trip, this bag's 420D nylon fabric TPU did not hold up well - the sides did fine, but the black bottom was easily damaged by incidental abrasions with rocks or the ground and developed a small tear and lots of small holes. Really unacceptable for a dry bag to of this size and description to not be more durable. The product description says it's "durable, strong and abrasion resistant..." and "...great choice for rugged watersports such as kayaking, canoeing and whitewater rafting" - it's simply NOT. They are lightweight, maybe suitable for lining INSIDE a pack or within a kayak hatch, or for rain protection for bikepacking. They are not suitable for direct exposure to any abrasion, the holes from the slightest abrasion means they may stand up to rain but not any real / consistent exposure. I'm a former rafting guide, kayak trip leader, and have experience in multi-day kayak and canoe camping trips. I expected better from the Sea to Summit brand and am puzzled by all of the positive reviews.

Solid Bag

I am a guide on the Lower Mississippi River and have used this bag in that environment multiple times.The main pro of this bag that it is extremely durable for it's weight class. The exterior material is very tough. I've dragged it, scraped it, thrown it, you name it. It shows signs of wear, scratches and whatnot, but so far has not sprung a leak. That gets a thumbs up from me!It's made of a thinner material than some of the other drybags I have used, but still achieves this admirable durability to weight ratio.That being said, it's not as durable as some of those more heavyweight options. If you stick slam it against something sharp, it's liable to tear. NRS and Watershed make more durable bags, but of course they also weigh much more.Overall, a fantastic ... MoreI am a guide on the Lower Mississippi River and have used this bag in that environment multiple times.The main pro of this bag that it is extremely durable for it's weight class. The exterior material is very tough. I've dragged it, scraped it, thrown it, you name it. It shows signs of wear, scratches and whatnot, but so far has not sprung a leak. That gets a thumbs up from me!It's made of a thinner material than some of the other drybags I have used, but still achieves this admirable durability to weight ratio.That being said, it's not as durable as some of those more heavyweight options. If you stick slam it against something sharp, it's liable to tear. NRS and Watershed make more durable bags, but of course they also weigh much more.Overall, a fantastic drybag for its weight and bulk.

Solid Multisport Drybag

I’ve used several of sea to summits lightweight dry bags in the past. The lightweight bags are great for application where abrasion is minimized but a susceptible to getting small holes in rough environment or after heavy use. The big river bag is the perfect heavier duty compliment to the lightweight dry bag for applications like kayaking, bikepacking and other adventures where you need to keep items out of the elements but where abrasion can’t be entirely avoided. I’ve used the 13L size in a few of my whitewater kayaks including my half slice and it a great size to slide behind the seat. Never had a drop of water get in.I like the 13L size, it could easily fit a sleeping bag and a light layer in it. Have yet to get it out on a bike packing mission but expect the ... MoreI’ve used several of sea to summits lightweight dry bags in the past. The lightweight bags are great for application where abrasion is minimized but a susceptible to getting small holes in rough environment or after heavy use. The big river bag is the perfect heavier duty compliment to the lightweight dry bag for applications like kayaking, bikepacking and other adventures where you need to keep items out of the elements but where abrasion can’t be entirely avoided. I’ve used the 13L size in a few of my whitewater kayaks including my half slice and it a great size to slide behind the seat. Never had a drop of water get in.I like the 13L size, it could easily fit a sleeping bag and a light layer in it. Have yet to get it out on a bike packing mission but expect the lash points will be nice to have. The picante red color is awesome. Looking forward to taking it on more adventures.

Thoughtful Design/ Questionable Waterproofness

Bought these bags (65L and 35L) in anticipation of summer canoe tripping. I especially like the oval shape and the lash points, I think they'll be easy to fit and secure into a boat. Both the material and construction of the bags seem top-notch. My only complaint would be that the roll-top closure doesn't seem as robust as the one used by Sealline and a tiny warning at the bottom of the packaging specifically states that "this dry sack is not intended for submersion." I wouldn't mind if they offered a little more information on that, like, full submersion for half an hour, or five minutes of partial submersion while I swim to shore? Exactly how dry is this dry bag? I'll probably just fill it with an old blanket and take it into the bath to answer that question. So, ... MoreBought these bags (65L and 35L) in anticipation of summer canoe tripping. I especially like the oval shape and the lash points, I think they'll be easy to fit and secure into a boat. Both the material and construction of the bags seem top-notch. My only complaint would be that the roll-top closure doesn't seem as robust as the one used by Sealline and a tiny warning at the bottom of the packaging specifically states that "this dry sack is not intended for submersion." I wouldn't mind if they offered a little more information on that, like, full submersion for half an hour, or five minutes of partial submersion while I swim to shore? Exactly how dry is this dry bag? I'll probably just fill it with an old blanket and take it into the bath to answer that question. So, at the moment, I'd say I'd happily take these bags out on a quiet river, probably not on one where I'm likely to swim.

Ticks All The Boxes

I am an outdoor professional running an instructional business focused on rough water kayak skills in marine environments: Surf, rock gardening and tide races. I also do quite a bit of expeditioning. Historically, lightweight bags are more flexible so pack more efficiently but don't stand up to lots of use. The opposite holds true for burly bags which tend to be heavy, stiff and an inefficient use of space. Crazy making. Though I've only had the newer version of the Big River Bags for a short time, they seem super durable but are flexible enough to conform to the convoluted space in hatches. They also feature some unique innovative features. The buckle closures are field replaceable which is brilliant. Those connections are always tough but it's not unheard of to ... MoreI am an outdoor professional running an instructional business focused on rough water kayak skills in marine environments: Surf, rock gardening and tide races. I also do quite a bit of expeditioning. Historically, lightweight bags are more flexible so pack more efficiently but don't stand up to lots of use. The opposite holds true for burly bags which tend to be heavy, stiff and an inefficient use of space. Crazy making. Though I've only had the newer version of the Big River Bags for a short time, they seem super durable but are flexible enough to conform to the convoluted space in hatches. They also feature some unique innovative features. The buckle closures are field replaceable which is brilliant. Those connections are always tough but it's not unheard of to snap off one of the wings on the male side which previously was the end of the bag. Another great feature a line of lash points on either side of the bag. That makes it so much easier to attach to a kayak deck, the fork of a bike (arguably eliminating the need for panniers), outside of a pack, onto trail vehicles, etc... An optional accessory is a Dry Bag sling to convert a bag to a single strap daypack. The bottom of dry bags are often the first part to fail but these have a triple coated base so will stand up to stuffing while sitting on terra firma. In spite of these features, these are somehow reasonably light with my 13 liter weighing in at 6.7ozs. There bags are a bit more $ then some other models but seem to clearly be worth it. I expect to get lots of years of hard use out of these.

great quality, big enough for a sleeping bag

I've used several dry bags over the years in camping and backpacking adventures. Some of them have been very thin and weren't as waterproof as hoped. These bags though are thick and meant to take a beating. I got the 20 L one and it is big enough to hold an adult sleeping bag. I like that the bottom of the bag is even thicker and tougher. There are 2 handles on this bag also, one on each side, to make it easier to carry without unlatching the clip at the top. The seal seems very good. I didn't get to test it out on the waterproof part as the camping trip I went on didn't have rain for once, but I think it would keep anything inside of it safe. The seams are well coated also. I would buy more of these to use for clothing and other necessities as they seem to work ... MoreI've used several dry bags over the years in camping and backpacking adventures. Some of them have been very thin and weren't as waterproof as hoped. These bags though are thick and meant to take a beating. I got the 20 L one and it is big enough to hold an adult sleeping bag. I like that the bottom of the bag is even thicker and tougher. There are 2 handles on this bag also, one on each side, to make it easier to carry without unlatching the clip at the top. The seal seems very good. I didn't get to test it out on the waterproof part as the camping trip I went on didn't have rain for once, but I think it would keep anything inside of it safe. The seams are well coated also. I would buy more of these to use for clothing and other necessities as they seem to work very well.